Shrew Mummy
30 B.C.E. – 50 C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Shrews and ichneumons both prey on snakes and therefore won the Egyptians’ admiration and worship. Though snakes could turn their powers to protecting kings and queens, serpents also threatened the sun god Re on his journey through the next world. Egyptian religion made room for both the positive and negative aspects of certain animals.
The shrew mummy bundle shows that more than one animal was sometimes included in one package.
The shrew mummy bundle shows that more than one animal was sometimes included in one package.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Remains, Animal
- Formatted Medium
- Animal remains (Crocidura flavescens, C. nana, C. olivieri, or C. religiosa), linen
- Locations
- Place excavated: Abydos, Egypt
- Period
- Early Roman Period
- Dimensions
- 1 1/4 × 8 9/16 × 1 3/8 in. (3.2 × 21.7 × 3.5 cm)
- Accession Number
- 14.653
- Credit Line
- Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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